A method of controlling a vehicle and trailer assembly comprises obtaining an image for a current position of the vehicle and trailer assembly from a GPS system. The image is displayed on a display screen and a location is selected to indicate a desired final position for the vehicle and trailer assembly. An intended trailer backing path is determined with the desired final position of the vehicle and trailer assembly and a predicted trailer backing path is determined based upon a steering angle of the vehicle and an angle between the vehicle and the trailer. The predicted trailer backing path and the intended trailer backing path are displayed on the display screen to assist the operator in steering the vehicle.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of controlling a vehicle and trailer assembly comprising: obtaining a GPS-based image of a current position of the vehicle and trailer assembly from a GPS system of the vehicle and trailer assembly; displaying the GPS-based image on a display screen of a trailer backing system; selecting a location on the GPS-based image displayed on the display screen to indicate a desired final position of the vehicle and trailer assembly on the GPS-based image and obtaining corresponding GPS coordinates of the desired final position; comparing, with an electronic control unit of the trailer backing system, the desired final position of the vehicle and trailer assembly on the GPS-based image to the current position of the vehicle and trailer assembly on the GPS-based image; performing image analysis on the GPS-based image with the electronic control unit and identifying, by the image analysis, obstacles in the map image proximate to the vehicle and trailer assembly and the desired final position; determining an intended trailer backing path with the electronic control unit wherein the intended trailer backing path avoids the obstacles identified by the image analysis and includes the desired final position of the vehicle and trailer assembly; determining, with the electronic control unit, a predicted trailer backing path based upon a steering angle of the vehicle and an angle between the vehicle and the trailer, wherein an input control mechanism for a driver to input control of the steering angle of the vehicle is based on input that is independent of a steering wheel for the vehicle; and displaying, on the display screen, the predicted trailer backing path and the intended backing path of the trailer overlaid on the GPS-based image to assist the operator in steering the vehicle; wherein the vehicle and trailer assembly are steerable by the driver, wherein steering of the vehicle will adjust the predicted trailer backing path to correct the predicted trailer backing path to match the intended trailer backing path.
A system guides trailer backing using GPS and visual feedback. It captures a GPS-based image of the vehicle and trailer, displays it on a screen, and lets the user select a desired final location on the image. The system compares current and desired positions, analyzes the GPS-based image for obstacles, and calculates an "intended path" that avoids these obstacles and reaches the destination. It also determines a "predicted path" based on the vehicle's steering angle (controlled independently of the steering wheel) and the angle between the vehicle and trailer. Both paths are overlaid on the image, helping the driver steer. As the driver steers (using a non-steering wheel input device), the predicted path updates, allowing corrections to match the intended path.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying the predicted trailer backing path of the trailer further comprises displaying predicted location and direction of travel of wheel assemblies of the trailer.
Building on the previous trailer backing system, the display of the predicted trailer backing path includes visual indicators showing the predicted location and direction of travel for each of the trailer's wheel assemblies. This enhanced visualization helps the driver anticipate the trailer's movement more accurately, providing finer control during backing maneuvers.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a predicted trailer backing path based upon the steering angle of the vehicle further comprises using an instantaneous steering angle of the vehicle.
In the trailer backing system, the calculation of the predicted trailer backing path utilizes the instantaneous steering angle of the vehicle to provide a more real-time and accurate prediction of the trailer's trajectory, allowing for quicker adjustments and a more responsive user experience.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a predicted trailer backing path further comprises using trailer data input into the trailer backing system, wherein the trailer data comprises at least one of: a length of a wheelbase of the trailer, a width of a wheelbase of the trailer, and a distance between an axle for the trailer and a hitch for the trailer.
The trailer backing system calculates the predicted trailer backing path using trailer-specific data input into the system. This data includes at least one of the following parameters: the trailer's wheelbase length, the trailer's wheelbase width, or the distance between the trailer's axle and its hitch. Using these parameters improves the accuracy of the path prediction, allowing the system to generate a more relevant backing path for trailers with different dimensions.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a predicted vehicle backing path on the display screen to assist the operator in steering the vehicle.
The trailer backing system not only displays the predicted and intended trailer backing paths, but also displays a predicted vehicle backing path on the screen. This provides the driver with a more complete picture of the vehicle's trajectory during the backing maneuver, further assisting in steering and avoiding collisions.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein sensors, the display, and the electronic control unit used by the trailer backing system are integrated into one of the vehicle and the trailer.
In the trailer backing system, the sensors, display, and electronic control unit are all integrated into a single unit. This integrated unit can be mounted on either the vehicle or the trailer, simplifying installation and improving the system's portability and ease of use.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein using image analysis to identify obstacles further comprises identifying edges on displayed roads and paths as obstacles.
In the trailer backing system, the image analysis used to identify obstacles in the map image considers edges on displayed roads and paths as obstacles. This prevents the system from inadvertently planning a backing path that crosses roads or paths, improving the safety and reliability of the path planning.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input control mechanism is a touch screen.
In the trailer backing system, the input control mechanism, used to input control of the steering angle independently of the steering wheel, is a touch screen interface. This allows for intuitive and precise steering control, enhancing the user experience.
9. A method of controlling a vehicle and trailer assembly comprising: obtaining an image of a current position of the vehicle and trailer assembly from a camera mounted to a trailer of the vehicle and trailer assembly; displaying the image on a display screen of a trailer backing system, wherein the display screen is integrated within the vehicle; selecting a location on the image displayed on the display screen to indicate a desired final position of the vehicle and trailer assembly on the image; determining an intended trailer backing path with the electronic control unit; determining a predicted trailer backing path with an electronic control unit of the trailer backing system based upon a steering angle of the vehicle and an angle between the vehicle and the trailer, wherein a sensor for determining the angle between the vehicle and the trailer is integrated into one of the vehicle and the trailer, wherein an input control mechanism for a driver to input control of the steering angle of the vehicle is based on input that is independent of a steering wheel for the vehicle; and displaying, on the display screen, the predicted trailer backing path and the intended backing path of the trailer overlaid on the image to assist the driver in steering the vehicle; wherein the vehicle and trailer assembly are steerable by the driver, wherein steering of the vehicle will adjust the predicted trailer backing path to correct the predicted trailer backing path to match the intended trailer backing path.
A system guides trailer backing using a camera mounted on the trailer for visual feedback. It captures a camera image of the vehicle and trailer's current position, displays it on a screen inside the vehicle, and allows the driver to select a desired final location on the image. The system calculates an "intended path" to the destination and a "predicted path" based on the vehicle's steering angle (controlled independently of the steering wheel) and the angle between the vehicle and trailer (measured by a sensor on the vehicle or trailer). Both paths are overlaid on the image, assisting the driver. The predicted path updates as the driver steers (using a non-steering wheel input), correcting the predicted path to match the intended path.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein displaying the predicted trailer backing path further comprises displaying predicted location and direction of travel of wheel assemblies of the trailer.
Building on the previous trailer backing system utilizing a trailer mounted camera, the display of the predicted trailer backing path includes visual indicators showing the predicted location and direction of travel for each of the trailer's wheel assemblies. This enhanced visualization helps the driver anticipate the trailer's movement more accurately, providing finer control during backing maneuvers.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein determining a predicted trailer backing path based upon a steering angle of the vehicle further comprises using an instantaneous steering angle of the vehicle.
In the trailer backing system using a trailer mounted camera, the calculation of the predicted trailer backing path utilizes the instantaneous steering angle of the vehicle to provide a more real-time and accurate prediction of the trailer's trajectory, allowing for quicker adjustments and a more responsive user experience.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein determining a predicted trailer backing path further comprises using trailer data input into the trailer backing system wherein the trailer data comprises at least one of: a length of the trailer, a track width of the trailer, and a distance between an axle for the trailer and a hitch for the trailer.
The trailer backing system that uses a trailer mounted camera, calculates the predicted trailer backing path using trailer-specific data input into the system. This data includes at least one of the following parameters: the trailer's length, the trailer's track width, or the distance between the trailer's axle and its hitch. Using these parameters improves the accuracy of the path prediction, allowing the system to generate a more relevant backing path for trailers with different dimensions.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the input control mechanism is a touch screen.
In the trailer backing system that uses a trailer mounted camera, the input control mechanism, used to input control of the steering angle independently of the steering wheel, is a touch screen interface. This allows for intuitive and precise steering control, enhancing the user experience.
14. The method of claim 9 further comprising receiving an adjustment to the steering of the vehicle, updating the predicted trailer backing path, and displaying the updated predicted trailer backing path.
The trailer backing system with a trailer-mounted camera receives steering adjustments from the driver and dynamically updates the predicted trailer backing path based on these adjustments. The updated predicted path is then displayed on the screen, providing real-time feedback to the driver and allowing for continuous corrections during the backing maneuver, ensuring a more accurate and controlled backing process.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
December 20, 2011
April 25, 2017
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.